From an intimate charity dinner hosted by Charlize Theron to chef-driven celebrations of Italian cuisine and California barbecue, Malibu Food & Wine transforms Saddlerock Ranch into one of Southern California’s most anticipated culinary destinations this September.
Few places capture the essence of California luxury quite like Malibu. This September 18–20, 2026, the rolling vineyards and scenic landscapes of Saddlerock Ranch will welcome the inaugural Malibu Food & Wine, a three-day destination festival celebrating extraordinary cuisine, world-class wines, live entertainment, and philanthropy.
Co-founded by Chef Marcel Vigneron and entrepreneur Lauren Rae Levy, Malibu Food & Wine brings together celebrated chefs, acclaimed vintners, luxury brands, and nonprofit organizations for a weekend where exceptional hospitality meets meaningful impact. Every experience has been thoughtfully curated to showcase California’s bounty while supporting causes that strengthen communities both locally and globally.
Co Founders Marcel and Lauren with son Kingston on Family Day Sunday
Friday, September 18 | Opening Night with Charlize Theron
Kick off the three-day Malibu Food & Wine festival with an extraordinary, exclusive evening hosted by Academy Award winner Charlize Theron in support of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), featuring celebrity chefs Andrew Zimmern, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, and festival co-founder Marcel Vigneron.
The evening begins with a cocktail reception from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, featuring tray-passed bites, live culinary demonstrations presented by Snyder Diamond showcasing Bosch technologies, handcrafted espresso drinks from Bruce’s Beanz Espresso Bar, music by Aviator Nation Dreamland, and the Sandy Brew Beer Garden, featuring handcrafted, plant-based beers founded by Malibu local Kelly Furano. Crafted with clean, high-quality ingredients, Sandy Brew’s refreshing brews are the perfect complement to a summer evening on the ranch.
The reception is followed by an intimate six-course, farm-to-table dining experience with expertly curated wine pairings.
The seasonal tasting menu will be created by the celebrity chefs. Showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients, the menu will highlight premium products from culinary partners including Sea Stephanie Fish, Campo Grande, Schaller & Weber, the American Lamb Board, and Seatopia, alongside an abundance of produce sourced from local California farms.
Bryan Voltaggio, Marcel Vigneron and Michael Voltaggio, Friday VIP Dinner Chefs
Throughout the evening, chefs, farmers, ranchers, fishers, and winemakers will share the inspiration behind each course and pairing, creating an immersive culinary experience that celebrates the connection between food, wine, and community.
Guests will also receive a curated gift bag while supporting CTAOP’s mission to advance the health, safety, and opportunity of young people across Southern Africa, making this a truly unforgettable evening where world-class dining, inspiring entertainment, and meaningful philanthropy come together.
VIP Seated Dinner Experience
Event Highlights
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Six-course tasting dinner
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Curated wine pairings
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Cocktail reception
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Live culinary demonstrations
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Curated gift bag
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All food and beverages included
Event Details
Time: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
Age: 21+
Tickets: $749
Tickets: https://www.malibufoodandwine.com/friday-1
Malibu Food & Wine 2025 – Day 01
Saturday, September 19 | Italian Night Hosted by Adam Richman
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the flavors, traditions, and artistry of Italian cuisine at Malibu Food & Wine’s Italian Night, hosted by Adam Richman, best known for hosting Man v. Food.
Guests will enjoy unlimited food and beverages, premium wine pairings from California’s renowned wine regions—including Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Ynez, and Malibu—live chef demonstrations, and entertainment on the Main Stage by Aviation Nation Dreamland, featuring live music, DJs, and immersive performances throughout the evening.
Malibu Food & Wine 2025 – Day 02
The evening’s featured chefs include:
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Mei Lin — Top Chef Season 12 champion and Tournament of Champions winner
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Stephanie Izard — James Beard Award-winning chef, Iron Chef, and the first woman to win Top Chef
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Tobias Dorzon — Former NFL player turned celebrity chef and Tournament of Champions finalist
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Jonathan Sawyer — James Beard Award-winning chef and Season 2 winner of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing
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Chris Oh — Acclaimed Korean American chef and restaurateur featured on Tournament of Champions
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Brian Redzikowski — Chef recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand distinction
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Rose Previte — James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and founder of Michelin-recognized restaurants Maydan and Compass Rose
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Spike Mendelsohn — Top Chef finalist and acclaimed restaurateur
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Karlo Evaristo — Award-winning Filipino American chef and founder of 61Hundred Bread
Additional culinary talent will be announced.
Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy live chef demonstrations celebrating classic Italian techniques, regional specialties, handmade pasta, and modern interpretations of beloved dishes.
Featured Culinary Experiences
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Live Bluefin Tuna Carving – Chefs Brian Redzikowski and Nick DeVries of Kettner Exchange (recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand distinction) will present a spectacular bluefin tuna carving, offering guests a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the culinary world’s most impressive traditions.
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Interactive Cannoli Bar – Freshly filled cannoli with a variety of customizable toppings.
Featured Lounges & Activations
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Just Ice Tea Lounge – Chef Spike Mendelsohn presents curated culinary pairings alongside Just Ice Tea’s new Watermelon Lime White Tea. Guests can also relax in an après-surf-inspired lounge featuring crave-worthy snacks.
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Snyder Diamond Showcase – Explore luxury kitchen appliances from Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau while two acclaimed wineries from Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley pour tastings throughout the evening. Guests can also discover handcrafted knives by Aura California, featured during live culinary demonstrations and used by select chefs throughout the festival.
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Gaia Herbs® Non-Alcoholic Mixology Experience – Discover handcrafted botanical mocktails featuring Gaia Herbs’ new tinctures, showcasing the art of plant-powered mixology as a sophisticated non-alcoholic alternative.
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Truffle Boys Experience – Enjoy decadent truffle and caviar bites, premium cocktails crafted with Cazcanes Tequila, and Capri Gelato & Coffee’s Espresso Martinez, Frozen Palomas, affogatos, and artisan gelato topped with shaved truffles and caviar.
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Sandy Brew Beer Garden – Sample handcrafted, plant-based beers founded by Malibu local Kelly Furano, made with clean, high-quality ingredients for refreshing summer sipping.
Come hungry, raise a glass, and experience an unforgettable evening of exceptional food, world-class wine, and Italian hospitality on California’s most celebrated coastline.
Malibu Food & Wine 2025 – Day 02
Event Highlights
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Unlimited food and beverages included with admission
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Curated California wine pairings
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Live chef demonstrations
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Live music and entertainment throughout the evening
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Non-alcoholic beverage options available
Event Details
Early Admission: 5:00 PM
General Admission: 6:00–10:00 PM
Dress Code: Malibu Chic
Age: 21+
Tickets: General Admission $175 | Early Admission $250
Tickets: https://www.malibufoodandwine.com/saturday-1
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | Country Cookout
Spend Sunday at Malibu Food & Wine’s Country Cookout, a laid-back celebration of live-fire cooking, bold barbecue flavors, chef-driven experiences, and exceptional wine, set against the stunning backdrop of Saddlerock Ranch. All ages are welcome.
Jakob Nowell of Subllime draws a crowd at Sunday’s performance
Throughout the day, Aviation Nation Dreamland will power the Main Stage with live music, DJs, and entertainment, creating the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of unforgettable food and wine.
Guests will enjoy an all-star lineup of culinary talent, including:
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Brian Malarkey — Top Chef finalist, restaurateur, and Food Network personality
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Carlos Anthony — Celebrated Top Chef competitor
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Elizabeth Falkner — Acclaimed chef, author, and competitor on Iron Chef America and Tournament of Champions
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Lee Anne Wong — Top Chef finalist and winner of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Season 3
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Matt Pittman — Founder of Meat Church BBQ, bestselling cookbook author, and official pitmaster for the Dallas Cowboys
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Rhoda Magbitang — Winner of Top Chef Season 22 (2026)
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Spike Mendelsohn — Top Chef finalist, restaurateur, and television personality
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Viet Pham — James Beard Award-nominated chef and two-time winner of Beat Bobby Flay
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Vinnie Cimino — Executive Chef of Cordelia and three-time James Beard Award nominee
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Ace Adler — Malibu local and Season 9 contestant on MasterChef Junior
Throughout the afternoon, guests will enjoy live culinary demonstrations showcasing the art of low-and-slow barbecue, live-fire cooking, comfort food, and elevated country cookout favorites. Unlimited tastings will be paired with exceptional wines from California’s celebrated wine regions, including Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Ynez, and Malibu.
Featured Lounges & Activations
Festival favorites return throughout the afternoon, including the Just Ice Tea Lounge, Gaia Herbs® Non-Alcoholic Mixology Experience, Snyder Diamond Showcase, Sandy Brew Beer Garden, and the Truffle Boys Experience, offering guests signature tastings, handcrafted beverages, premium culinary pairings, and interactive experiences enjoyed throughout the weekend.
Adding to Sunday’s lineup, the FlutterBy Butterfly Experience brings the wonder of nature to life with an interactive butterfly exhibit, offering children and adults a memorable, educational experience filled with discovery, imagination, and hands-on fun.
Event Highlights
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Family-friendly event
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Children 12 & under free
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Unlimited food & beverages
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Live-fire cooking demonstrations
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Live music
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Wine tastings
Event Details
Early Admission: 12:00 PM
General Admission: 1:00–5:00 PM
Dress Code: Western Chic
Tickets: General Admission $175 | Early Admission $250
Tickets: https://www.malibufoodandwine.com/sunday-1
Donut Design for Littles with Chef Marcel Vigneron for All Ages Sunday
